Margaret Helen James was an English regional folklorist and indexer active during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born in 1859, James made a pioneering contribution to the study of British folklore through her dedicated documentation of regional traditions, beliefs, and local legends.\n\nHer most notable achievement was the publication of her book, Bogie Tales of East Anglia, which appeared in 1891 under the pen name M. H. James. This work holds a significant place in British folklore studies as the very first book entirely devoted to the local folklore of the East Anglia region. Through this publication, James captured the unique regional tales and supernatural lore of the area, preserving them for future generations of readers and researchers.\n\nIn addition to her folklore research, James worked as an indexer, contributing to the organization of literary and historical materials. She lived until December 1938, leaving behind a focused but highly influential legacy as a trailblazer in East Anglian regional folklore studies.
